The 2.5-mile (4km) track went from Flinders Street Station to Sandridge, now known as Port Melbourne. The line is still in use today. It was converted to light rail for Melbourne tram services.

However, it is believed that the first recorded planning for a railway in Australia was conducted in Goulburn in 1846. 

This meeting was the result of lobbying from graziers and pastoralists wanting faster and cheaper transport to markets in Sydney. Local research has identified that we have direct descendants from one of those visionary’s living in Goulburn.

The following is an extract from the Morning Chronicle (Sydney, NSW) Saturday May 9, 1846, entitled: Railway from Sydney to Goulburn

On Wednesday last, a public meeting was held in Mr. S. Lyons's room, of persons:  "disposed to cooperate in the formation of the projected railway, from Sydney to Goulburn and Windsor."

The chair was occupied by the Right Worshipful the Mayor. Mr. Bradley, M.L.C. … moved the first resolution.

Resolved: "That a company be now formed, to be designated the Great Southern and Western Railway Company. That the object of the said Company shall be to construct railways from Sydney to Goulburn, and from Sydney to the Hawkesbury and Nepean."

One of the earliest such meetings was held in May, 1846 in the Mandelsons Hotel in Sloane Street where this joint decision was taken to introduce rail transport to the fledgling Colony of NSW.  The Member for Argyle and brewer, William Bradley, gathered interested parties in an upstairs meeting room to discuss bringing a railway line to Goulburn.

Their ongoing meetings, and similar gatherings in Sydney, led to the Sydney to Goulburn Railway Co (shortened to Sydney Railway Co) becoming an Act of the Legislative Council on October 10, 1849.

Planning is underway for the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the arrival of the Railway into Goulburn on May 25/26, 2019. Send ideas to Terence Carpenter on  0427 152 100 or glrps12@optusnet.com.au.